Romans 16:25
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now to him that is of power--more simply, as in Jde 1:24, "to Him that is able." to stablish--confirm, or uphold you, according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ--that is, in conformity with the truths of that Gospel which I preach, and not I only, but all to whom has been committed "the preaching of Jesus Christ." according to the revelation of the mystery--(See on Rom 11:25). which was kept secret since the world began--literally, "which hath been kept in silence during eternal ages."
Open source ↗Here the apostle solemnly closes his epistle with a magnificent ascription of glory to the blessed God, as one that terminated all in the praise and glory of God, and studied to return all to him, seeing all is of him and from him. He does, as it were, breathe out his soul to these Romans in the praise of God, choosing to make that the end of his epistle which he made the end of his life. Observe here, I. A description of the gospel of God, which comes in in a parenthesis; having occasion to speak of it as the means by which the power of God establishes souls, and the rule of that establishment: To establish you according to my gospel. Paul calls it his gospel, because he was the preacher of it and because he did so much glory in it. Some think he means especially that declaration, explication, and application, of the doctrine of the gospel, which he had now made in this epistle; but it rather takes in all the preaching and writing of the apostles, among whom Paul was a principal labourer. Through their word (Joh 17:20), the word committed to them. Ministers are the ambassadors, and the gospel is their embassy. Paul had his head and heart so full of the gospel that he could scarcely mention it without a digression to set forth the nature and excellency of it. 1. It is the preaching of Jesus Christ. Christ was the preacher of it himself; it began to be spoken by the Lord, Heb 2:3. So pleased was Christ with his undertaking for our salvation that he would himself be the publisher of it. Or, Christ is the subject-matter of it; the sum and substance of the whole gospel is Jesus Christ and him crucified. We preach not ourselves, says Paul, but Christ Jesus the Lord. That which establishes souls is the plain preaching of Jesus Christ. 2. It is the revelation of the mystery wh…
Open source ↗16:25-27 This doxology makes a very appropriate conclusion to Paul’s letter and its argument, reprising many of the themes found at the very beginning (1:1-15). • The doxology is missing in two late manuscripts and is in different places in other manuscripts (after 14:23 and after 15:33). Therefore, these verses might have been added to Paul’s letter at a later time. However, the majority of manuscripts do include the doxology at the end of the letter, and it uses vocabulary and themes common in the rest of the letter. Paul most likely wrote it himself as a conclusion to the letter. 16:25 plan (literally mystery): For Paul, the mystery is the truth about God and his plan that was not clearly known in the Old Testament era but which has been revealed in the New Testament era. While the Old Testament predicted the conversion of Gentiles, it did not make clear that Gentiles would become equal members of the people of God without becoming proselytes of Judaism.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”